It was a good night for Abbie Larkin, who couldn't take the smile off her face as she sat down for her post-match media duties after helping the Republic of Ireland hammer Georgia 6-0.
The Crystal Palace winger had an excellent game, providing her side with width and energy throughout in Tbilisi.
The 19-year-old has had to be patient. She barely got a look-in during the Euro 2025 qualifiers, but a star turn in Friday's play-off semi-final first leg will do her prospects no harm at all as the competition for places intensifies.
"I'm so proud of myself with how I performed, and especially with the girls getting the result we really wanted," Larkin beamed.
"Everyone who comes in, they want to start and they want to play 90 minutes. That was definitely a goal of mine and I’ve achieved that.
"It’s something I’ve been waiting for. I’m such an attacking player so against a team that sits really low I can show what I’m about. I just wanted to go out and enjoy it, show my skills, dribble a lot, get some crosses in the box."
The Dubliner did all of those things in a performance that offered a reminder of why she was so hyped two years ago when she became the youngest ever Irish player to appear at a World Cup.
Then at Shamrock Rovers, Larkin has since moved to Palace - via Glasgow City - and looks a stronger, more mature footballer for it.
🇬🇪 0-2 🇮🇪
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 25, 2024
Ireland have doubled their lead with Kyra Carusa turning the ball home at the near post #COYGIG #GEOIRL
📱 Updates - https://t.co/2uyo5Zlao9
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/XnOP6grVqF
📻 Listen live - https://t.co/6cFzxLAkk3 pic.twitter.com/136fv1BL4z
"I think I've developed a lot as a player," she said.
"I’ve still got a lot of developing to do but yeah, since I last played here (she got her first goal in a 9-0 win against Georgia in 2022)… I was young coming in and I think the moves across to Glasgow and the UK have helped me quite a lot. Especially being in the WSL now and getting a few minutes, that’s helped me coming in here.
"I was just confident on the ball so I think that played a part in it."
Larkin set up Kyra Carusa for Ireland's second goal and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet herself with an opportunistic heeled volley that flashed inches wide.
Lacing that sort of end product into her game is an obvious target, with Larkin now keen to build on a positive outing.
"It's probably one of the best feelings being able to dribble at them and having chances to shoot, get assists," she added.
"I think that’s an attacker’s dream to be honest if you’re playing a team like that.
"I’ve just got to keep working hard now and not stop there. I’ve got to keep working hard in training and hopefully get a chance on Tuesday (in the second leg).
"It’s amazing getting Player of the Match, it’s probably one of my goals in football, especially with my country - but no goals today!
"Georgia are going to come at us when we get home and we need to be ready for that. Hopefully (we’ll) get a few goals on the scoresheet."
"We were taking our time, no need to rush things"
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 25, 2024
Ireland's Player of the Match in Georgia, Abbie Larkin, on the patient approach which paid dividends on route to the 6-0 win @corktod #COYGIG #GEOIRL Report: https://t.co/VWNZucfSCh pic.twitter.com/allYvEtTtr
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